AGA Research Scholar Award Targets Early-Career Researchers

Specializing in gastroenterology, Dr. Scott Altschuler has acquired extensive experience in the field over the past decade. In addition to establishing his own practice in Florida, he teaches medical students and residents at NOVA Southeastern University College of Medicine. Dr. Scott Altschuler is also a member of the American Gastroenterological Association.

With more than 16,000 members around the world, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) supports clinicians and researchers in their studies and practices to improve digestive health. AGA grants many research awards to fund digestive health studies.

The AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA) is a three-year research award targeting early-career faculty members such as research associates who aim to jump-start a career in gastroenterology research. The award provides a total of $300,000 over the course of three years.

Eligible applicants must hold a medical degree or a PhD in addition to a full-time faculty position in North America. As part of the application, candidates are required to include a research proposal categorized as clinical or basic. Clinical research entails human subjects or the use of clinical data pertaining to healthcare, whereas basic research is focused on the biological mechanisms of disease.

What Is Diverticulitis?

A specialist in gastroenterology, Dr. Scott Altschuler is the owner and managing physician of Treasure Coast GI, a medical facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida. A graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Scott Altschuler trained as a specialist at the University of Virginia. Treasure Coast GI offers a range of patient care, including the treatment of diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis are small weakened areas of the colon, or pouches, due to high pressure. When these pouches become inflamed or infected the condition is called diverticulitis. A number of factors can lead to diverticulitis, including smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and a high fat, low fiber diet.

Symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, cramping, fever, diarrhea and bloody stool. When these symptoms occur it is best to see a GI doctor or gastroenterologist. Mild cases of diverticulitis can be treated with a combination of medication and rest, while severe cases could require surgery.

One reason to have diverticulitis treated early is to avoid complications. Some complications include severe infections including abscess formation or because of a perforation (rupture) in the intestinal wall. Another complication is development of a fistula or an abnormal passageway between the bowel and other organs. These can require surgery to fix them.

Sometimes diverticulitis can be a result of a colon polyp, abnormal growth of the colon lining, or colon cancer blocking up the diverticula. After treatment of diverticulitis it is important to get a colonoscopy or other testing of the colon to rule out this situation. Dr. Scott Altschuler frequently treats diverticulitis and evaluates for these complications.